But of greater concern are the regulations covering recreational use and the new rules introduced from September 29, covering commercial use of drones weighing less than 2kg. In both cases no formal aviation knowledge is required, with only two key requirements governing their use. aerodromes,” states CASA’s website summarising the new amendments to CASR Part 101 introduced on September 29, and “you must not fly your RPA higher than 120 metres (400ft) AGL.”
Essentially these same restrictions apply to recreationally flown drones (and remote-controlled aircraft). But how will an RPA pilot with no formal aviation knowledge and training know when they are flying within 5.5km (or 3nm) of a controlled airport? And how well do they know the dangers of doing so if they decide to disregard those rules?